Manoavino Taste!

Natirar, Ninety Acres Culinary Center - A Return to My Roots by Chrissy Katz

There is a need to return to one’s roots after being away for a long period of time and so I headed to Somerset County, NJ where I used to go riding.

Natirar (anagram for Raritan) is a special place, offering old world charm with a modern feeling and time to step back and reflect on how we lost perspective and appreciation for how food comes to our table.

Spring Brings Flowers and Rosé, Rosato and Rosado

Spring is the time I like to drink these luscious pink, salmon, rose colored wines. In France they are called Rosé; in Italy, Rosato; and Rosado in Spain. This one called Vitiano Rosato Umbria paired so nicely with a dish inspired by friend Stacy who creates the recipes and writes Stacey Snacks, a perfect pairing for her Grilled Salmon w/ Red Quinoa & Pistachios.

Yakatori 39 - Like Being in Tokyo in Nearby ティーネック

We went to Tokyo last night. Well a little town nearby, thanks to the super sonic, Saturn Sky time machine , it  just took 30 minutes to get to ティーネック (Teaneck) where a little place called Yakitori 39 takes you as close to Tokyo as you can get without a jet plane.

This place is amazing with a fabulous menu of Japanese food that is, yes you guessed it, mostly grilled, but not only chicken.

The other fabulous thing about this place is the long list of great Sakes and for those who want a bigger hit Sochu, the exciting distilled spirit from Japan.

Two Very Special Wines For Spring and Summer Sipping. South African Chenin Blanc & Austrian Gruner Veltliner

We chose these two wines for a recent wedding party we sommeliered*. The bride was buying the wine and we had not actually tasted these before, our research was positive, and they turned out to be exceptional.

I find that, while relatively unknown here in the US, Chenin Blanc & Gruner Veltliner have universal appeal. Everyone loves these wines.

No One Does Wine Like the French, Art de Vivre : A Wine Tour de France at French Institute Alliance Française

One could easily argue, and win the debate, that no one does wine like French winemakers.  And in NY no one does French wine events like the French Institute Alliance Française.

We have attended several and are very excited about their spring 2013 event. More Info and Tickets Here

Local Adventures – Manhattan’s Upper West Side - By Veronique Deblois, Food & Wine Chickie

My friend and fellow wino and foodie Veronique Deblois shares her recent local adventures on the Upper West Side for our "Being a Tourist in Our Own Backyard" section.

I live 40 minutes from Manhattan and love to play tourist every chance I get. Each time my girlfriends come to town, I plan a foodie adventure across the city. What that consists of is drinks, appetizers, lunch, wine or dessert at different places throughout New York City. Fun, no?

On our last gathering, we focused on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. We arrived at this upscale neighborhood just in time for brunch on a Saturday.

ECCOCIWINE, New World, Old World, or the Best of Both

When I envision wines from Spain I usually think Old World, yes there are a number of forward thinking winemakers that bring a New World perspective to the wines of Spain. But, when I see La Rioja, Castile and León, Aragon and so on, I picture castles and old Marquis and Countesses, ancient wine cellars and traditions. I love the old world culture.

In the picturesque north east corner of Catalonia, not far from the French border is the province of Girona, a place with a long history in wine. Here an exciting new vineyard Eccociwine is making wines that wake me right up from my nostalgic slumber. Wines with qualities that embrace the best of both worlds and an enchanting mix of French and Spanish viniculture.

Sunday, Sunday? It Was All We Hoped it Would Be…

If you read Mano a Vino regularly, you know that my daughter, Nell, and I get to some pretty cool places. She is on that trail more than I and I often ask for a post.  Well here you are, Nell's happy Sunday in NY, four really cool places I know you'll want to check out.

As with many things in life, I tend to follow in my father's foot steps. This time it lead me on a Sunday ritual of ours -- a day of delicious eating and drinking in NYC. Today's adventure started with a small group of friends in the East Village, on a quest for my favorite Sunday cocktail – a Perfect Bloody Mary.